OAKLAND -- A 44-year-old Oakland woman decided to get back at a suspected bike thief when she teamed up with BART police to try and get her wheels backs.

The $900 bike was stolen from the MacArthur BART station last weekend, according to BART police.

The woman told police the thief went to great lengths to steal her bike, going so far as cutting a specialized lock that curves around parts of the bike called a U-Lock.

When she noticed her beloved bicycle for sale on Craigslist just days later, the woman approached BART police and coordinated with them to arrange a meet with the suspected thief to "buy" the bike.

Police said they coached the woman through the undercover process, teaching her how to disguise herself and stay calm until she gave a special hand signal to allow BART officers to come in and arrest the man.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, police said. The man, who has not been identified, was also arrested on charges of possession of narcotics, an outstanding warrant out of Reno for $25,000, probation violation and possession of forged identification.

Bike lock tips
If you experience a theft on BART property, report the incident and enlist the help of BART Police at 510-464-7000 before undertaking any recovery effort on your own.
If you are leaving your bike at a BART station make sure it is locked well. Whether you're taking your bike on board or parking it at a station, make sure you record your bike's serial number along with a description of the bike.